As the United States braces for Donald Trump to assume office as the 47th President in January, several top universities have issued advisories urging international students, particularly those from India, to return to the country before the inauguration. Concerns over potential travel bans have fuelled uncertainty amongst students and professionals studying and working in the US. President-elect Trump, who will take the oath of office on 20 January, has outlined plans to implement sweeping executive orders on his first day, targeting immigration and economic policies. These announcements have reignited fears reminiscent of his first term in 2017, when nationals from seven predominantly Muslim countries faced immediate travel restrictions. The University of Massachusetts Amherst has released a detailed advisory urging its international students and staff to consider returning to the US before 20 January. “Given that a new presidential administration can enact policies on their first day in office and based on previous experience with travel bans in 2017, this advisory is made out of an abundance of caution,” the university stated. Similarly, Wesleyan University’s Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) has issued guidance, advising students to avoid being outside the country during the transition period. According to The Wesleyan Argus, the office’s email read: “The safest way to avoid difficulty re-entering the country is to be physically present in the US on 19 January and the days thereafter.” At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Associate Dean David Elwell cautioned international students about the risks of travel during this period, citing potential visa processing delays and policy unpredictability. “With every election, there can be changes in policies, regulations, and legislation that impact higher education as well as immigration and visa status matters,” he wrote in a recent post. These warnings have particularly resonated with Indian students, many of whom vividly recall the disruptions caused by Trump’s 2017 executive order. That ban not only sparked protests across the US but also affected thousands of students and professionals, raising significant concerns about the inclusivity of American immigration policies. In response to these anxieties, universities are taking proactive measures to support their international students. Yale University recently hosted a webinar to address concerns about potential immigration policy changes. Other institutions have signalled their readiness to challenge any policies that may disrupt the academic ecosystem. North Korea's Kim vows steadfast support for Russia’s war in Ukraine India’s Ministry of External Affairs has yet to issue a formal advisory but has urged Indian nationals in the US to remain vigilant and stay updated on travel regulations. The US remains a top destination for Indian students pursuing higher education, with India surpassing China in 2023-2024 to become the leading country of origin for international students. According to the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange, 331,602 Indian students were enrolled in American institutions, marking a 23 per cent increase from the previous year. This demographic now represents a vital component of the US academic and cultural landscape. As the date of the presidential inauguration approaches, the international student community continues to navigate this period of uncertainty with a mix of caution and resilience. Source: With inputs from Indian media  

GRC Services Limited has launched an online university application site for Bangladeshi students who want to study in US universities. Through this site, one can apply to 98 universities, including 25 tier-one ones of the US. Some of these universities are issuing I-20 without accepting fees. Besides, all the universities are accepting tuition fees after getting student visas. Read:‘Bangabandhu Corner’ set up at Seoul National University Library The rate of students willing to study abroad is growing. To meet this demand, GRC has been working since 2013 to ensure easy admission with scholarships for Bangladeshi students in the best universities in the world. Through the GRC website, students can easily apply to the universities of their choice. One can submit the application fee with any bank and mobile banking service in Bangladesh. Also, Bangladeshi students are now getting the opportunity to live in the US permanently after finishing their studies. Now most of the universities have STEM programmes through which the students will get the opportunity to work for 2-3 years after the completion of the programme. In addition, if a student gets a permanent job contract during this period, he or she will be eligible for permanent residency. Read: Bangabandhu Corner to be established at Lovely Professional University in Punjab "We have entered into agreements with 25 tier-one university authorities and have agreements with 98. Students who apply through our site also receive the highest percentage of scholarships. There are also many more facilities for them," said Mohammad Mozammel Haque Titu, managing director of GRC. GRC prepares students to meet the requirements of the universities, and students can pay their application fees from home through the GRC website as it accepts all sorts of bank and mobile financial services, according to a press release.